RTA's Trade Centre Roundabout project will cut travel time on one road from 12 minutes to 90 seconds

As if you can call Dubai anything except a city of the future — we’re already trialing flying taxis (that will cost as much as normal cabs, apparently), forested residences, and skyscrapers so tall that they’ll soon be able to double up as speed breakers for planes.

Now, on November 21, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, checked out the two projects — Trade Centre Roundabout Improvement project and Al Mustaqbal Street project — that will make our travel times so much easier,

The arterial network of Dubai extends across 25,000 lane-kilometres and serves more than 3.5 million vehicles daily. And to keep things running super smoothly, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) builds on average more than 829-lane kilometers of roads. (The global average is 400 lane kilometres.)

But what does that mean for the people on the road, just trying to get from point A to B, build our lives, and grow our finances in the UAE? Actually, a lot.

Better infrastructure, more money

Here are the numbers to consider: RTA projects have contributed 6% to 16% increase in property values.

So, what is the Trade Centre Roundabout Improvement Project?

The Trade Centre Roundabout links Sheikh Zayed Road with five key streets:

• Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street,

• Sheikh Rashid Street,

• 2nd December Street,

• Zabeel Palace Street, and

• Al Majlis Street.

When can we use it?

We are 40 per cent there. The roundabout is set to open in stages.

In January: Two bridges will open will link traffic from 2nd December Street towards Al Majlis Street and Sheikh Rashid Street.

In March: The bridge connecting Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street is scheduled to open.

In October: Two additional bridges serving traffic from Sheikh Rashid Street and Al Majlis Street towards 2nd December Street will open.

What does it mean for you and me?

Travel times will go down from 12 minutes to 90 seconds on one path and from six minutes to one on another!

Upon completion, the project will double the junction’s capacity, cut average delays from 12 minutes to just 90 seconds, and reduce travel time from Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street from six minutes to one.

What is Al Mustaqbal Street project?

Al Mustaqbal Street Improvement Project extends from its intersection with Zabeel Palace Street to Financial Centre Street. The project, featuring bridges and tunnels with a total length of 1,500 metres, will widen the street from three to four lanes in each direction. The upgrade will boost the street’s capacity by 33%, from 6,600 to 8,800 vehicles per hour.

What does it mean for you and me?

Travel time will go from 13 minutes to six minutes if you choose this road.

When will it be ready?

It’s scheduled for completion in 2027.